“The first [objective] is to establish the list of emergent concerned groups and their problems, even if they are not yet clearly visible (inventory requirement). The second objective is to allow emergent groups – which initially are simply loose clusters of isolated, lost individuals – to express their problems and concerns (expression requirement). This introduces a third objective, which is to provide concerned groups, especially when their uncertainties are strong, with the means to specify their problems, to collect data and launch investigations, and to explore problems and solutions (exploration requirement). The fourth objective is to facilitate the expression of demands, their confrontation and their composition (composition requirement) (Figure 1). Lastly, the fifth objective ought to be to organize constant interaction between the debate on demands and interests, on the one hand, and the exploration of problems and the search for solutions, on the other (iteration requirement).

These procedures, when and where they exist, are usually designed to allow for the expression, articulation, discussion and gradual transformation of hitherto unknown expectations and demands. The recognition of emergent identities and the construction of spaces of confrontation are considered as preconditions for solutions of either an economic or a political nature. These procedures favour experiments whose results do not predict the solutions opted for. What is at play is the organization of economic activities and their relations with politics. This requires the opening up of research and experimentation to groups situated outside scientific institutions as such.”

(Callon, M. 2007. An essay on the growing contribution of economic markets to the proliferation of the social. Theory, Culture & Society 24, 139-163, p. 159-160)